You've just won $20 million in the lottery

[Pedal Steel Mike]

I'd get one of the new Nationals, and an Old Town solid body electric.

I wouldn't buy another acoustic because I can't imagine anything better than my Rigel oval hole A+ Deluxe.

I'd also get some sort of mandocello.

[J. Mark Lane]

Which...one? Are you nuts?

I'd become a collector. .... OK, I'd become a collector who has enough money to actually collect. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Here's what I would do. I would contact all the small shops builders I could think of, and call them up. I'd ask them: "How much for your very best, top of the line, no-holds-barred F5 mandolin?" Whatever the price they said, I would double that and send them a check. I would say, "OK, now build me a mandolin twice as good as your top of the line."

Then...I would sit back...and wait. Ah....now that's a nice fantasy!

[Tim]

Eastman 915 - with varnish of course.

[Guitar Jeremy]

Call me boring, but I'd pick up a Loar.

[Steve Cantrell]

Gilchrist

[Mando4Life]

Gilchrist. #I'd also like to have mid to late 20's Fern.

And if at all possible, I'd make sure Mr. Monroe's mandolin was in a safe place for all to enjoy. It's the least I could do if I had the $$$$.

WBL

[Ken Waltham]

I think maybe 5 or 6 minty Loars, just to take the edge off.......

[Ray Neuman]

I would go out and play a ton of them, and pick one that touched my soul, then walk away.

Too many is too many.

the simple professir

[357mag]

I was thinking of all sorts of stuff.Truth is, I wouldnt know where to start. But Id figure something out. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[glauber]

Big Mon's. I figure i could sell it later for 30. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[flairbzzt]

One from Dale Ludewig, one from Bill Davis, one from Kieth Newell, one from Michael Lewis, one from Bill Bussman, one from Johann Brentrup, one from Darby Boofer, one from Ben Wilcox........you get the idea. Oh, and it would really be two from each, an A and an F, and a third (2-point) from some of them as well.
Then I'd create a showroom and/or website where all independent builders could display and sell their wares. I would charge nothing for the space or service and would advertise the location/site as much as I could, again n/c. Then I would sit around and wait to be sued by some big company afraid of the competetion......

[J. Mark Lane]

...Then I would sit around and wait to be sued by some big company afraid of the competetion......
Then you would call me and we'd wipe the floor with the creeps.

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[bones12]

With that kind of money, I'd keep the mandos I have (Gibson F4,F2, A4 snake,etc.) and use the money to start a foundation for music education and to further the cause of acoustic instruments. 20 million would be great seed money to place mandolins and instructors in quite a few public schools and colleges. That would be money well spent! Doug

[arbarnhart]

Eastman 915 - with varnish of course.
I am right there with you. Yes, I would get a nice one and I think the Eastman 900 series is plenty of mando for me. I would spend more on learning to play than on the instrument. Then I would buy a shop to build instruments and then make them until the money ran out...

[Nathan Sanders]

I'd buy Sam Bush's mandolin. Not a Sam Bush model, Sam Bush's own mandolin. Surely he has a price. Yeah, and then while we're dreaming, my own Gibson built signature model. Yeah, that's the ticket! Then maybe I could settle that whole dispute over Bill Monroe's mandolin by making them an offer they couldn't refuse. And of course some shopping sprees to Gruhn, Mandolin Bros, and Elderly would be on the list. And if there's any money left, maybe I could make an offer on Willie Nelson's guitar.....OK....20 million may not be enough..............

[lownote]

20 Million.....All of them!!!!

[357mag]

Lownote,I almost stole your thunder. I was gonna say the same thing. ALL OF EM!! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[PhilGE]

I like bones12's response. Except I'd probably purchase a few instruments, too. I'd ask my local luthier, who makes wonderfully musical instruments, to take his time to refine a GOM of his own, as well as a G Mandocello. Then I'd maybe pick and choose a few other builders like Bill Bussmann and Jack Spira (who've built for me before when I had a windfall, thanks).

[misifus]

I believe I'd beg Lynn to build me an A-style Dude and finish it in my lifetime.

-Raf

[HarmonyRexy]

Man, this is a no-brainer for me....
I'd tithe on that great blessing/windfall...

then, the first thing that I'd do is buy a STIVER!

After that, I'd buy an RV so that I could travel around to festivals and to see the smaller builders. #I'd definitely run by Jim Hilburn's cuz I'd need one of his... and go by Andy's for a Driftwood.... I know that I'd make lots of visits, playing and acquiring great mandolins... #I'd have to take a ride on a ship since some of the luthiers that I'd want to see are across the ocean.

What a wonderful thought...
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[grandmainger]

Buy/Order the following:
a Nugget F5,
a Kimble 2-pointer oval-hole,
a A4 snakehead

Convince FrankenMouse to sell me his old F4.

...

http://www.chetnet.co.uk/portal/forum/images/smilies/Drool.gif

[banjomanva]

a Rouge RM-100A of course (ha ha)

[ronlane3]

A Loar and a Distressed Master Model, just to compare the two.

[mandoman15]

personally i would stick the money in my ears and blow rasberrie at passerbys

[straight-a]

1-The Griffith A-5 Loar (my personal holy grail)
2-An F Loar (just to say I have one)
3-Various and Sundry A models.

[John Flynn]

I have actually thought about this a bit during some occasional daydreaming and honestly, I would not run out and buy any new instruments immediately. When you get some money and your first reaction is, "I gotta buy something with it," then the money has trapped you. That is why most lottery winners are back where they were financially within 10 years. Besides, I am really happy with my new Old Wave A Oval.

What I would do is get the money secure in investments and then get my life re-arranged so I could spend a lot more time playing. I would probably do some traveling to festivals and shows and visit some stores and builders. If an instrument really lit my fire, I could buy it on the spot. If that never happened, I wouldn't worry about it. What I might do is actually get rid of a couple instruments. With that kind of money, I really wouldn't need a beater or a travel mando. I would just take my main mando everywhere and if it got stolen or damaged, I could just get another one.

[JEStanek]

We may have done this before but my answer may now have changed with that kind of $$. I'm with JM Lane. Get nicest ones from the builders here (except I would get A's and F's). I gotta admit to lusting particularly over Hans Brentrups 3 Point oval holes (mando and dolas) and Mr. Bussman and Chris Bairds whole lines. I have to break from the pack and say I would get a Gibson Style O guitar (the one with the scroll), a couple of old banjo-mandos. I might have to get a genuine F4 with Handel tuners. I would get a bunch of Octaves, Dolas, and Zouks. I would even buy the nicest ones from the PAC Rim to settle some debates over tone from all over. I would try to borrow the Loars in exchange from time to time. I really want the money to go f a r .

I would hire Dan B to catalogue them all. I would then build a top o the line studio for storing and recording and then invite my favorite pickers to come and use whatever they wanted for as long as they wanted with the only condition of use that they teach me how to play some stuff and tolerate me hanging out with them while they work. My first project would be make a Tone Poems anthology, like 5 discs covering all of these mando models with some top players doing the work.

And not to appear greedy (wayyyyyy to late) I would buy a bunch of Mid Mos, Eastmans, MKs and what not to give away at local schools and Mandolin Symposiums for kids to learn about all the cool stuff we can do with the mandolin.

Jamie (loves to fantasize over coffee on Monday morning) That was fun! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Hal Loflin]

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[fiddler]

Don't need 20 meg - just enough so that I didn't have to work anymore and could spend unlimited time practicing!

[mandocrucian]

.....and then he and his wife moved away to somewhere in Scandinavia (and/or New Zealand) and were never heard from again.

[Big Joe]

Only one. There is a 23 Loar that I love that is the best I've played. I don't know that it would be for sale, but with enough bucks I'm sure the temptation would be hard to pass.

[Joe F]

Step 1 would be to drive across town to visit Hans Brentrup.

Then I'd quit work, build an addition onto my garage, acquire some tools, and learn how to build these little 8-string wonders.

[PlayerOf8]

Monteleone Grand Artist, Monteleone Radio Flyer, Red Diamonds and lots of 'em, Jethro's A5, Rudy C's Mandocello, The Stromberg flat back in Chicago and a Dude for every day of the week.

GM

[acousticphd]

Well, you can't win if you don't play. I am playing, as part of a little workplace consortium. So you never know ...

I would buy a much bigger house. I'd need it.
Then I'd go looking for orphans and strays that sing like angels.

[bluesmandolinman]

Gibson H-4 Mandola ( I love the big scroll ) - anyone wants to part ?
Yank´s personal 70s Harmony ( unfortunatly not for sale )
Rony McCoury´s Gilchrist - what a great sounding instrument

well and maybe a few others... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[Arto]

Dreaming is good for the soul...

I´d get a top-class modern bowlback (maybe Larson AND Pandini). A mint condition Embergher N. 6. And probably some other vintage ones...

After that, I´d have more than enough money left to fly every week to take lessons from my favourite players. Rheims, Savona, here I come!

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif Arto

[jimbob]

I think I would set up a RV park/campground in the Texas hill country with all of the best facilities , including stages with PA systems and hold spring and fall BG and mandolin festivals. I would also hire my own private teacher so someday I could really say "I play the mandolin".

BTW....it would be OK to drink beer at my festivals. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Pedal Steel Mike]

Are you nuts?
well, yes, (see my new signature line) but that's not really relevant to this thread. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[mandroid]

finally be able to afford lessons, and a girfriend, and her shopping habits.
"look , isnt that Cuuute!"
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[flairbzzt]

Love the signature Mike http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[garyblanchard]

Very seriously, a Mid-Mo. (Might even go top of the line.)

[mike_c]

i would buy all the Monteleone F-5 style mandolins i could find ..and a loar or two..then i would just sit around and play them...(between bluegrass festivals)

[craig]

monteleone
nuggets
gilchrist
more nuggets
collings
old wave
silver angels
apitius
graham blair
chris larkin

[biscuit]

a eastman 914 to start with love them ovels.

[evanreilly]

I'd have a large portion in single dollar bills and go visit James Monroe.
I'd stand there starting to drop the dollar bills one by one and tell him to say 'When' there are enough to buy his dad's old mandolin.
After that tedioous negotiation, I'd decide if it goes to the Smithsonian, CMHoF or the Monroe Homeplace.
as for my humble playing needs, I'd probably offer the Dude a large amount to put me on his waiting list... or look for a used one.
Then I'd find a great mandola, like the Loar one Zepp's had a few years ago that I didn't buy!!!

[bsimmers]

Ron Pennington's Gilchrist is the best sounding and playing mandolin I ever heard or played. (I'm not sure how many millions it would take to get it) I've played 6 Loars, and I would still prefer Ron's Gilchrist. There may be Loars that are better, and other better brands that I've never heard. I saw Monroe just once, and I'm sure Big Mon's is the finest ever. I just don't think I could play it since it IS the most important musical instrument in the history of mankind! Just my humble opinion.

[evanreilly]

I am not sure Bill's #73987 is a 'player' instrument nowadays....
It has been through a lot since it left the Miami barbershop window 'way back then.
I think, if acquired, it needs a peaceful retirement place of suitable stature.

[Big Joe]

It was still a very playable instrument when the Big Mon left it behind on his trip to glory.

[PatrickH]

Every Nugget (F or A) that came on the market.